Storytelling Open Mic

EVERY FIRST TUESDAY

DOORS AT 6:30 PM, STORIES AT 7 PM

$5 ADULTS / STUDENTS FREE

Storytellers of all styles and levels of experience are welcome! Enjoy an evening of true stories, traditional tales, myths, fables, family stories and more. We have just one rule: no notes!

No pre-sale tickets. Seating is first come first serve.

Caffe Lena’s full menu is available.

April 2 feature: Julia Biaculli

Miss Julia may be new to the stage but is no stranger to entertainment! She is also a musician and dancer and uses her talents to bring the stories she loves to life. A former teacher, her childhood stories came alive again after she dusted off her bookshelves to read them with preschool students. When they called her “Miss Julia,” she was reminded to be strong, playful, and ready for anything – no matter how many times she heard it throughout the day! Although she left the classroom, she continues to spread the beauty of classic folk and fairy tales with her own flare. Miss Julia’s feature is sure to please audiences of all ages.

may 7 feature: Miki Conn

Miki Conn is an artist, storyteller, poet, author and community organizer. Born in Brooklyn, NY, her African and Native American roots inspired her interest in indigenous arts and multiculturalism. She is a priest of Oshun and follows the traditional African Yoruba belief system.

Miki is the former executive director of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, a multi-arts center located in the heart of the inner-city in Schenectady. Although retired, she teaches art and tells stories to children and adults and offers workshops and classes in team building, creativity, writing and African spirituality. She organizes Schenectady’s annual Juneteenth Celebration and the annual Kwanzaa Celebration for the Capital District.

Miki’s essays are published in the anthology Sacred Waters. She also wrote Out of My Mind, A Quirky Look at Life Through Poetry (November, 2019) and the following children’s picture books: The Story of a House (July 2020), Oshun’s Pumpkins (November 2021), and Drumming for Ogun (May 2023). Miki edited and re-published Integrating Delmar 1957, the Story of a Friendship, co-authored by her mother, Margaret Cunningham and family friend, Arlen Clinard in April 2021.

Miki shares her personal stories and African myths and legends through storytelling and painting as well as her other creative outlets. Her involvement in the Yoruba religion has been a source of inspiration for a number of her paintings and workshops. She has been the subject of several videos about her experiences in the Civil Rights Movement of the Sixties and has been invited to make presentations about her experiences.

June 4 feature: Marni Gillard

Marni Gillard discovered storytelling as a Niskayuna middle school teacher. Her book Storyteller, Storyteacher (Stenhouse Publishers), available on Amazon, helps teachers and parents understand how valuable tale-telling and poem-telling are for students of all ages finding their voice. Marni’s double CD, Without a Splash: Diving into Childhood Memories shows how important life stories are for listeners and tellers as well. Meet Marni at MarniGillard.com

July 2 feature: Linda McKenney

Linda McKenney has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theater and Drama Therapy from State University of New York Empire State College. Her theater experiences include performances with companies in both New York and Tennessee. She has two one-woman shows – Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt. Linda has brought these women to life in schools and community organizations and for the United States Army.

Linda is a member of Story Circle of the Capital District. She’s shared her stories at various venues including Caffè Lena and won awards for her humorous stories. Linda believes that our stories define us, and we can always do a rewrite.

Linda writes creative non-fiction and her essays have been featured in several publications. She’s lived in the Capital Region most of her life and is a perpetual volunteer, currently active in three social justice organizations: The League of Women Voters, Braver Angels and Creative Action Unlimited. You can learn more about Linda here: https://www.majok.org

August 6 feature: Claire Nolan

Claire Nolan enjoys telling myths, literary tales, and folktales. As the seventh of ten children, she has a wealth of personal stories. Claire can be found telling tales locally at Caffè Lena in Saratoga, Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, the Performing Arts Center at UAlbany, and Thacher Park. Claire’s love of history has sparked her interest in learning about women who have changed the world. She tells their stories in personae.